Trump salutes ‘amazing’ Florida
President says governor and first responders did an ‘incredible job’
As he toured hurricane-damaged areas Monday in Florida, President Donald Trump lauded first responders and Gov. Rick Scott for their work during Hurricane Michael.
“Rick Scott, your governor, has done an incredible job, and all of your people have been amazing – working with FEMA, working with the first responders, and always law enforcement,” Trump said after exiting Air Force One.
Hurricane Michael struck the eastern Panhandle as a Category 4 hurricane before heading northeast over Georgia. Hurricane Michael claimed at least 17 lives in the USA.
Trump was met by Scott, Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long, Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz and Eglin Air Force Base senior leadership, including Brig. Gen. Anthony Genatempo.
Trump called Scott “a great governor.”
“He steps up in the biggest emergencies, the biggest problems, and he gets it done,” the president said.
Scott, a Republican who is running for Senate, faces a tough fight in next month’s election from Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla.
Scott returned Trump’s praise, thanking the president and saying the two men have “talked almost every day.”
“And I want to thank the president again,” Scott said. “Because every time I called, he’s come through and done exactly what he said he was going to do.
The governor praised the efforts of FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Guard and law enforcement.
Trump went on to thank power companies for working quickly to restore power to hurricane-hit areas.
“As the hurricane left, they’ve followed right behind it. And they’ve put on hundreds of thousands of homes that are already back,” the president said. “Now, the one problem is some homes don’t exist anymore. I mean they’re literally wiped out. They have electric going to empty sites. But the electric companies have been really incredible and responsive. So we want to thank them, too.”
Trump said the biggest priority is keeping hurricane victims safe and providing food and water.
“You know, many of these people have no – they have no homes,” he said. “Some of them have no trace of a home. You wouldn’t even know it. It just got blown right off the footing.”
Among those greeting Trump was former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who lives near the hurricane-damaged areas. His daughter, White House spokeswoman Sarah Sanders, traveled with Trump.
The Trump administration did not indicate what portions of the Panhandle the president’s team expected to visit.
The president tweeted before leaving the White House that he would meet with law enforcement and government officials aiding the massive recovery effort.
He wrote, “Maximum effort is taking place, everyone is working very hard. Worst hit in 50 years!”
The Florida Panhandle took a direct hit from Michael.
More than 190,000 homes and businesses in Florida remain without electricity.
About 120,000 homes and businesses lack power in Georgia.